Aug. 5, 2007 — Orchids have inspired passion like no other flower.
There are movies and books named after them and glamorous spies associated with them. Their petals and vibrant colors are deemed nature's artwork.
Beyond that, the breeding of certain species is big business. Most importantly, the long-lasting flowers are a thing of beauty to their owners.
Many residents of the Virgin Islands have long been familiar with their intrigue and beauty. The Orchid Society on St. Croix was formed March 1, 1963, with seven members; by July the group had 25 charter members. That same year the American Orchid Society formally accepted them as affiliate members.
The founders of the society, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lodge, held the first meetings in their home. Now the society has 49 members, meeting at 2 p.m. the last Sunday of every month in the 4-H extension building at the University of the Virgin Islands.
"We do a lot of worthwhile networking and help amongst our members," said Michelle Thurland-Martinez, current president of the St. Croix Orchid Society.
The mission of the society is to acquire and disseminate the knowledge or the culture of orchids, both native and hybrid, and to exhibit orchids at least once a year to the public to promote interest in this hobby and preserve native plants through cooperation with conservation agencies on St. Croix.
The society held its 36th annual show last February with more than 500 people in attendance. The annual show has only been interrupted once, and that was because of Hurricane Hugo.
The show has been held at numerous locations in Christiansted beginning at the old public library, now a part of the national parks. It has also been held at the Lutheran Church Lord God of Sabaoth Hall on King Street and at the Buccaneer Resort. The event's home in recent years has been the American Legion Hall on Hospital Street.
Members set up tabletop displays with unique orchids in full bloom. Their shows have been praised in the St. Croix Avis, the V.I. Daily News and the Source. Members of the American Orchid Society from Puerto Rico judge the orchids. Ribbons and trophies are awarded in senior and junior divisions.
At the monthly meetings, members educate each other on the propagation and cultivation of orchids. They also discuss the upkeep and maintenance of orchids and the use of the proper pesticides and the diagnosis of pest or fungal problems.
Members are encouraged to bring in blooming orchids and tell about the species, hybrid and parenting background. At the meetings they also have a raffle drawing for orchids, baskets, planters and books about orchids.
They are in the planning stage for next year’s annual show, which will be held Presidents’ Day weekend in February 2008. The fee to join the local society is $25, with a $60 membership fee for the American Orchid Society.
Thurland-Martinez encourages anyone with an interest in orchids to come to a meeting and get to know other orchid enthusiasts. Many of the members are also volunteers at the St. George Village Botanical Gardens. Orchids have acclimatized and grow profusely on large trees at places such as the Botanical Gardens and private residences.
Based on Internet research, native remaining species on the island of St. Croix are the Sandy Point Orchid (Psychilis macconnelliae), Christmas Orchid (Epidendrum ciliare) and Cockleshell (Encyclia cochleata). The Sandy Point Orchid has been successfully grown from seed in tissue culture and released back into its environment.
Systems are being developed for the propagation of rare native plant species listed on the endangered-species list by the Department of Planning Natural Resources. In vitro seed germination is being used for germplasm preservation, recovery and propagation of native species of orchids.
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